Long before smartphone games and VR headsets, there was one virtual pet that started it all – the Tamagotchi.
The wildly popular egg-shaped toy first launched in the United States 20 years ago following its 1996 release in Japan, allowing users to hatch and raise their own digital characters.
Now, Tamagotchi is set to make a comeback.
Bandai has revealed it is releasing a $15 (£11.30) mini version of the beloved 90s toy, with pre-orders starting on Amazon today.
The wildly popular egg-shaped toy first launched in the United States 20 years ago, allowing users to hatch and raise their own digital characters. Pre-orders will begin October 10 on Amazon, before the $14.99 toy officially hits the shelves in the US on November 5
Excitement for Tamagotchi’s revival first began to circulate this past spring, when Bandai announced the toy would be re-launching in Japan.
‘It got such a tremendous worldwide response from fans that were knocking down our door to bring it back to the US, so we brought it back,’ Liz Grampp, Vice President of Brand Management at Bandai America, told Dailymail.com.
As fans will quickly notice, the new 20th anniversary version is much smaller than the original.
But, the gameplay is much the same, albeit simpler in some ways.
The toy will be released in six different shell designs, from pale orange and see-through blue to boldly contrasting two-tone schemes straight out of the 90s.
Each Tamagotchi will include six virtual pets.
After hatching a digital creature, users must take care of it as it moves through the different stages of life.
Tamagotchi is set to make a comeback. Bandai has revealed it is releasing a $15 mini version of the beloved 90s toy, with pre-orders starting on Amazon today
This includes feeding it – either a ‘meal,’ consisting of a rice bowl, or a candy ‘snack’ – and cleaning up after it goes to the bathroom.
If you fail to care for it properly, your pet will get sick and could even die.
While Tamagotchi’s pixelated design may be a far cry from the complex games available today, the firm expects the nostalgia factor will be a major luring point for those who once owned the toy as a kid.
And, Bandai is hoping it can also appeal to the younger generation of gamers who have grown up with more advanced devices.
The toy will be released in six different shell designs, from pale orange and see-through blue, to boldly contrasting two-tone schemes straight out of the 90s. Each Tamagotchi will include six virtual pets
As fans will quickly notice, the new 20th anniversary version is much smaller than the original. But, the gameplay is much the same, albeit simpler in some ways
‘It’s about resource management, it’s about nurturing, caring for a little virtual pet, and that basic human emotion of taking care of something that I don’t think ever goes away,’ Grampp told Dailymail.com.
‘What’s different is our delivery. So, it’s a more classic pixel game, which has a little bit of a trend of its own.
‘I think for kids who have only grown up playing with iPhones and iPads, it’ll feel unique, but the game play will still feel really familiar.’
Pre-orders will begin October 10 on Amazon, before the $14.99 toy officially hits the shelves in the US on November 5.
While Tamagotchi’s pixelated design may be a far cry from the complex games available today, the firm expects the nostalgia factor will be a major luring point for those who once owned the toy as a kid
DAILYMAIL.COM TRIES OUT THE NEW MINI-TAMAGOTCHI
At first glance, there’s one thing that immediately stands out about the new Tamagotchi – it’s tiny.
For adult hands, this takes some getting used to.
But, the compact design made it much easier to carry around without it becoming a nuisance.
It easily fits onto a key ring, belt loop, or purse; I attached mine to my phone case so I could keep it on me at all times.
A spokesperson for the company told Dailymail.com the toy is about 80 percent smaller shellwise, with a screen that’s 60 percent smaller than the original.
Still, much about the game feels the same.
While the display is noticeably lacking the ‘Health Meter,’ there are little indicators that pop up when your virtual pet needs something.
If it has gone to the bathroom, a little poo will appear at the bottom of the screen.
And, if it’s sick, a small black bug will flash at the top right.
Feeding the virtual pet is simple (press the A button to toggle between options, then B to select), and it’s quite enjoyable to watch it stubbornly refuse the rice bowl in favour of a piece of candy.
In somewhat of a disappointment, it appears they’ve done away with the Play option, which once allowed you to engage in simple mini-games with the virtual pet.
The most important thing to know is how to turn the sound off (hold the C button, and simultaneously push the A button).
As I quickly found out, the persistent beeping is not as endearing as it was when I was a kid – especially not on a crowded train, or in the middle of the night (though correctly setting the time solved the latter).
All in all, the mini-Tamagotchi is a great novelty toy, especially considering it costs just $14.99.
Playing with it brings you right back to a time before today’s technology, and there’s an undeniable childlike joy that comes with finding your virtual pet has grown to the next stage of life.
-Cheyenne MacDonald for Dailymail.com
Then, it will be available through common retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Toys R US.
It will also be rolling out across October in European markets, a spokesperson told Dailymail.com.
But, if you want to get your hands on one, you’ll have to act fast – according to the firm, this will only be a limited release.
‘There is a finite number that have been created and designated for the US market,’ Grampp told Dailymail.com.
‘They’ll be easy to find, but I definitely would not wait.’